NWEF was invited to testify before The Virginia House Education K-12 Subcommittee on behalf of proposed legislation advancing education choice. We did.
There were three similar bills specifically advocating for policies that would give greater choice to parents by directing state money into accounts set up for each student and allowing parents to spend the money for the education they felt was best for their child. If passed, this policy would reverse the present practice of state money being given solely to state education institutions. It would promote competition for education dollars and give parents significant control over the education their children receive.
We spoke in support of these bills, standing with 70% of Virginians on the issue! We were joined by a wide and diverse group of organizations and citizens who argued the merits of the bills. Based on the evidence and support presented, it seemed the bills would surely pass!
Opposing the bills were a handful of lobbyists representing Teachers Unions, the Superintendents Associations, and the School Board Association. These are the political power brokers of public education (in every state).
Because the House Education K-12 Subcommittee is made up of a super-majority appointed by the Majority Democratic Party, the bills were killed in the subcommittee. This is a clear example of the statement, "Elections have consequences."
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